Exceed Freedom transforms your existing Exceed product into a server-based PC X server designed and optimized to run on intranet and internet network connections. It delivers X11 R7.1 X access with minimal overhead, and requires only a small client-side installation that enables users to remotely access business-critical X applications on UNIX, Linux, VMS, and other X Window System hosts.
A number of key features ensure secure, consistent, and dependable X connections for end users, a scalable and expandable architecture, and a centralized management environment for administrators.
Exceed Freedom authenticates users using user names and passwords for all host connections, but you can also configure additional security options.
Kerberos Ensures secure communication by assigning a key, called a ticket, to each user that logs on to the network. The ticket is then embedded in messages to identify the sender of the message. Kerberos is an authentication service developed at MIT for open network computing environments.
PAM Ensures secure communication by passing users' Client credentials to a PAM module for verification. The PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules) option is available only for Exceed Connection Servers installed on Solaris, Linux, HP-UX, and IBM AIX.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Ensures secure communication between Exceed Connection Server and Exceed Freedom or Exceed Connection Server Manager.
Secure Shell Startup Mode Extends security by encrypting user credentials and X11 traffic that pass between Exceed Connection Server and the host on which X applications are located.
Users can suspend their X sessions instead of closing them and terminating all X applications. When they reconnect to the host, Exceed Freedom gives them the option of resuming the suspended session. Users can set an additional option that allows the X application to continue functioning while the X session is suspended.
Auto-Suspend upon Disconnection
In the event of an X session connection failure, Exceed Connection Server maintains the session. When the user reconnects, he or she may resume the session without having to reload applications.
Exceed Freedom lets users share their X session to one or more users. Users with whom sessions are shared may either view or participate in the session from their computers depending on the permissions granted to each user by the session owner. This feature is useful when providing a demonstration, working remotely, or getting customer support.
Administrators can install more than one Exceed Connection Server on a network to form a cluster. Each node in the cluster is linked to and controlled by one node that is designated Cluster Manager. Exceed Freedom attempts to initiate a session by connecting to the Cluster Manager node, which distributes the new sessions to the nodes according to the load balancing criteria specified in the Cluster Settings dialog box.
In an Exceed Connection Server cluster, Cluster Manager handles Exceed Freedom and Exceed Connection Server Manager connection requests. To prevent a single point of failure, if the active server fails, another server within the cluster becomes Cluster Manager and assumes control automatically. No X sessions are lost in the transition except for those running on the failed server.
With Exceed Connection Server Manager, administrators can configure cluster, node, and user settings, as well as view information about Exceed Freedom sessions currently running or suspended on any local or remote Exceed Connection Server.
Exceed Freedom Exceed Freedom, with your existing Exceed product, forms the client portion of the software and is responsible for displaying X applications and allowing users to interact with them. Administrators distribute Exceed Freedom to each end user.
Exceed Connection Server Exceed Connection Server is the processing hub of Exceed Freedom. It is the link between X applications and the client portion of the software. By default, Exceed Connection Server is configured to operate as a stand-alone server, but administrators can set up clusters.
Exceed Connection Server Manager Exceed Connection Server Manager is a management tool for Exceed Freedom administrators. You can install it on any network PC and use it to remotely manage any Exceed Connection Server (UNIX or Windows) installed on the network.
Hummingbird Exceed Remote Print Utility Exceed Freedom users can access remote files and print them as they would local files. Exceed Remote Print Utility facilitates this functionality and is provided on the Exceed Freedom CD. In order to enable printing, system administrators must copy or install it on each machine running X applications from which users need to print.